Return in sight for long-time Iraqi refugees in Jordan's Ruwaished transit camp. © UNHCR/L.Astrom

Press release

Thursday 13 November 2008

UNHCR welcomes the Government of Sweden’s Assistance to Build UNHCR Offices in Baghdad, Iraq

The Office of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is receiving backing from the Government of Sweden in funding and constructing UNHCR’s new offices in Baghdad, Iraq. This project will be implemented under the framework of the UNHCR-Swedish Rescue Services Agency MoU, established in 1992 to assure support to UNHCR’s emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.

UNHCR’s operations inside Iraq provide protection and assistance to IDPs, returnees, refugees and asylum seekers. With 109 staff working in Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait, UNHCR provides direct humanitarian relief assistance to IDPs, vulnerable host community members and returnees with special focus on emergency shelter rehabilitation, non-food items and distribution of shelter kits. Life-saving assistance is provided to refugee populations, such as registration of and assistance to asylum-seekers, monitoring conditions for voluntary repatriation and resettlement of those with protection needs, women-at-risk and on medical grounds.

“UNHCR is most grateful for the Government of Sweden’s support to this project as this will enable the UN to strengthen its presence at a crucial moment for Iraq”, Daniel Endres, UNHCR Representative based in Baghdad.